TRILOKI NATH & ANR. vs STATE OF JAMMU & KASHMIR & ORS.

The Supreme Court ruled that the promotion of junior officers over senior officers based on religion and place of residence violated Article 16(2) of the Constitution, which prohibits discrimination in matters of employment. The Court clarified that 'backward class' cannot be equated with 'backward caste' or 'backward community' and emphasized that any classification must not solely rely on caste, community, or religion, as it would contravene constitutional guarantees. The Court held that the State's actions did not constitute valid reservations under Article 16(4), leading to the conclusion that the promotion policy was unconstitutional.